DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers couldn't have asked for much more from rookie pitcher Kyle Lobstein.

Making his first career start in the majors, Lobstein pitched six strong innings Thursday afternoon and helped take a tremendous amount of pressure off Detroit's bullpen, which combined to pitch seven innings the night before.

The Tigers will take a 2-2 tie with the Yankees into the seventh inning, thanks largely to Lobstein, who has given up just two runs, one earned, on four hits in just his second major league appearance. He won't return to the mound for the seventh.

Rajai Davis tied the game at 2-all in the fifth inning with an RBI single off Yankees starter Hiroki Kurodua, who has allowed two runs on four hits. He's struck out three.